Peer support in an occupational setting preventing LBP-related sick leave

Background Low back pain (LBP) is among the most frequent causes of sickness absence in Norway, and it is thought that it could be reduced by 30-50% if present day knowledge was implemented in the workplace. Evidence-based interventions in occupational settings to prevent sickness absence are still lacking. Aim To evaluate whether peer support would be able to modify general beliefs about LBP, pain experiences, health care utilization and sickness absence due to back pain. Methods In addition to a media campaign in two Norwegian counties in 2002-05, aiming at improving beliefs about LBP in the general public, the 'Active Back' project trained a peer adviser in six participating workplaces. The task of this peer adviser was to provide information aimed at reducing fear of the pain, supportive advice and arrange for modifications of workloads, etc., for a limited period of time. Results The prevalence of back pain remained constant throughout the study period, but self-reported intensity of LBP decreased at the end. There was a small decline in use of health care professionals and significant improvements in beliefs, in line with the messages of the campaign. Total sickness absence decreased by 27% and the LBP-related sickness absence by 49%. Conclusion The combination of peer support and modified workload seemed to have additional effects to the general media campaign, and resulted in decline in sickness absence and improvements in beliefs about back pain.